A new ITUC study on core labour standards in El Salvador reports that many of the 67,000 mostly women workers employed in the country’s 15 export processing zones suffer from appalling treatment ranging from verbal abuse and threats to physical abuse and sexual harassment. There is a clear anti-trade union policy and dismissal of workers planning to join or form a union. Many consider that working conditions in export processing zones can be assimilated to forced labour.

The ITUC has joined its regional organisation TUCA and Salvadorian affiliates CTD (Central de Trabajadores Democráticos de El Salvador) and CATS (Central Autónoma de Trabajadores Salvadoreños) in strongly condemning the assassination of Victoriano Abel Vega, General Secretary of SITRAMSA (Sindicato de trabajadores y Empleados Municipales de la Alacaldía de Santa Ana), an affiliate of CATS.